Exploring the Significance of Celestial Bodies in Maasai Culture
- Maison Ole Nkurrunah
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Studying celestial bodies has long been an integral part of the traditions of indigenous Maasai communities.
A few days ago, I engaged in a discussion with other indigenous researchers on the same subject—a Maori postgraduate researcher located in Montreal and an indigenous Brazilian pursuing his PhD in Krakow, focusing on Indigenous Cosmology. We explored common ground and publication opportunities for Indigenous research.
The Maasai have always been a deeply spiritual people with a very close attachment to the astronomical aspects of the sky, the sun, the moon and the stars. We call the sun 'Enkolong' which is synonymous to day, the moon 'Olapa' which is akin to a month among other time-based associations to heavenly bodies.
From a very young age, I learned this by watching the moon in its various phases, particularly in the evenings during my school holidays, when my cousins and I would sit at my grandfather's feet at his Oleng'oti. My grandfather, the late Samarua Ole Nkurrunah, known to his peers in the Ilnyankusi (Ilkalikal) Age Group as 'Ole Wuantai' and to his Moran battalion as 'Olorasha Elong'o otii Ilmurran lemekuti,' remains my greatest teacher on this subject.
On this sacred ground beneath the stunning evening stars, he taught my cousins and me the Star lore of the Maasai Nation.
Olakira le Sirran which must be Venus, the morning Star;
Olakira Onyokie (Mars)
Olakira loonkishu (Syrius)
Olakira lolkidong'oi (a Comet)
Nkokua (The Pleiades)
Oloing'oni Loo Nkokua (The Alcyone)
As a man fascinated by these cultural aspects, I explored this subject further and was delighted to discover that the Isampurr group among all the Maasai-speaking peoples has the most advanced, structured, and detailed study and application of astronomy in their daily lives, including a hereditary line of astrologers from a respected family! Unlike other Maa sections that rely on the Laibonship and seer spiritual path for determining rituals and community ceremonies, the Isampurr turn to astrologers for guidance.
Enkai's Own Country
Maasai Perspectives is a segment dedicated to highlighting opinions, poetry, and research articles from the Maasai communities in Tanzania and Kenya.
About the Author
Maison Ole Nkurrunah is a Maasai writer, poet, and historian specializing in Maa culture, hailing from Narok, Kenya. He dedicates his efforts and time to initiatives such as Olosho Le Maa Culture, Sayings, History & Life, Mwamko, the Maasai Cultural Resource Center, and the Endangered Languages Project. His goal is to uphold his cultural heritage, preserve the Maa language, and accurately share the history of his people, aiming to rectify the misconceptions propagated by colonial narratives.
About Voice of Maasai
Voice of Maasai focuses on producing uplifting music and content through co-writes and collaborations in Arusha Tanzania. We connect a global audience with emerging Maasai talent to provide authentic and nuanced perspectives of the Savannah's of East Africa and use music as a vehicle for social bonding.
